Fracking plan will curb power of councils

Councils could also lose the right to determine fracking applications, which may be treated as nationally significant infrastructure projectsPETER BYRNE/PA

Local authorities would be stripped of powers to block drilling for shale gas in the countryside under Conservative plans to copy the United States and make Britain less reliant on imported energy.

Shale companies could undertake “non-fracking drilling” under permitted development rights, the party’s manifesto said. They would not need to make a formal planning application and could start drilling more quickly.

Igas, a leading shale gas explorer, had to wait more than a year to get planning permission from Nottinghamshire county council to drill two exploratory wells, neither involving fracking.

Ineos is preparing to submit several planning applications for shale drilling across the East Midlands.

Councils could also lose the right to determine fracking applications, which may be treated as nationally significant infrastructure projects…